Comparing Road Blockers, Bollards & Tire Killers: What Works Best for Your Security Needs

Modern infrastructure need modern security solutions. In a world where threats to security are becoming more prevalent, especially from vehicle-borne attacks (VBA), robust and high-security vehicle barriers such as road blockers, bollards, and tire killers have become indispensable.

Each of these access control equipment has its special features and uses, although they have their own limitations in different situations. Choosing between these three options depends on a number of factors that include the perceived level of security threat, the site requirements, operational demands, and budget. In this blog, we provide a comprehensive overview of the features of these three best perimeter security solutions to help you decide what works best for your security needs.

Understanding Vehicle Mitigation Technologies

Before we get into the details of which technology is the best vehicle barrier system for high security, it is important to understand what road blockers, bollards, and tire killers are, how they work, and where they are most commonly deployed.

• Road Blockers

Road blockers are heavy-duty perimeter protection devices that typically run on electro-hydraulic power. They are usually mounted directly on road surfaces or embedded in the road in front of the establishment they are protecting. Made of high-grade reinforced steel, their job is to physically stop the passage of speeding vehicles. When unused, they lie flat against the road surface, but rise up when deployed. Hydraulic road blockers for high-risk zones such as military bases, government buildings, data centres, embassies, airports, and other key infrastructure sites are the ideal security solutions.

Key Features

• Road blocker security systems have high impact resistance with the capability of stopping heavy, speeding vehicles.
• They are usually operated through remote control but can be operated manually if required.
• They can be raised or lowered quickly, providing enhanced access control.
• They can be integrated with other security equipment to create a more effective security system.

• Bollards

Bollards are strong vertical posts constructed of high-strength steel or composite materials with the ability to absorb heavy vehicular impact. They are firmly installed the surface of roads and pavements, usually in a row with even spacing in between, with the intention of controlling the movement of vehicular traffic, while allowing unhindered access to pedestrians. They can be permanently fixed or retractable. The latter category includes automatic, semi-automatic, and removable. They are commonly deployed in public spaces such as pedestrian zones, high-security buildings, stadiums, etc.

Key Features

• Retractable bollards operate using hydraulic pressure and can be controlled remotely.
• They can be programmed to deploy at specific times when vehicular traffic is high.
• In addition to their use as security devices, they can also be designed to add aesthetic value to the surroundings.
• Removable bollards are useful for installation at large temporary events such as sports, concerts, or political rallies.
• They are long-lasting, weather-resistant and require minimal maintenance.
• Bollards for commercial security can be seamlessly integrated with other security systems.

• Tire Killers

Tire killers are mechanical barriers that are fitted with a row of sharp metal blades or spikes. They are installed in vehicular accessways within establishments and can surface mounted or embedded. They can be automatically or manually deployed when a vehicle passes over them in the wrong direction. The sharp spikes deflate the tires, immediately bringing the vehicle to a stop. They are usually found in most high-security establishments that witness daily vehicular traffic.

Key Features

• Tire killer barriers are discreet with low visual impact; in their resting state they look like metal speed breakers.
• They can be fitted with high-resolution cameras that can take clear images of the chassis of vehicles to verify the authenticity of ownership.
• They can be integrated with other security devices such as license plate scanner and face recognition technology.

Comparative Analysis: Road Blockers vs Bollards vs Tire Killers

The choice between road blockers, bollards, and tire killers depend on a number of factors that must be considered before making a selection. These include:

• Security Level and Vehicle Stopping Power

Among the three, road blockers offer the highest impact resistance and, therefore, used in very high security areas. Crash-tested road blockers carrying the highest PAS68 certification can stop a 7500 kg truck travelling at 80 kmph. While bollards can be crash-tested to similar ratings, they are usually deployed for mitigating mid-level threats from lighter cars. Tire killers do not offer any impact resistance, rather incapacitating vehicles by deflating their tires. Therefore, they may not be effective against heavy trucks.

• Operational Flexibility and Access Control

While all three can be deployed at high speeds, bollards and tire killers offer more operational flexibility that road blockers as they can be quickly uninstalled and relocated to other areas. Both road blockers and bollards provide high levels of repeatable access control, whereas tire killers are mostly used to direct one-way traffic.

• Visual and Psychological Deterrence

Psychologically, road blockers offer the highest visual deterrence with their imposing structure, while bollards do so to a lesser extent, especially when designed to blend with their surroundings. Tire killers are designed to be less obviously visible than the other two, but when the spikes are deployed they can act as visual deterrents as well.

• Installation and Maintenance

Road blockers require the most amount of civil work, especially for the shallow-mount and deep-mount models. Bollards have simpler installation requirements, particularly for the surface mounted and permanent options, while tire killers require the least amount of installation effort among the three. Road blockers typically require very little maintenance beyond regular checks of the hydraulic and electrical components. Retractable bollards and tire killers may require more frequent maintenance checks and ongoing support for their electronic components and software.

• Cost Considerations

Road blockers are usually the most expensive due to the cost of the equipment itself and the installation requirements. Retractable bollards are more expensive than permanent ones, while being less costly than road blockers. One should also factor in the fact that usually multiple bollards are required, which might raise the overall cost. Tire killers are typically less expensive but more advanced, heavy-duty models can stretch the budget.

• Aesthetic and Urban Integrations

Among the three, bollards are the most customizable and aesthetically pleasing security equipment. Road blockers primarily provide utilitarian value, while tire killers are designed to be unobtrusive, though they can blend with the aesthetics of the environment.

• Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility

Road blockers do not present much difficulty for pedestrian movement, especially when in a retracted position. Permanent bollards might hinder heavy pedestrian traffic, while retractable models offer no problems when left undeployed. Tire killers may cause injuries to pedestrians if they are left deployed and not marked clearly.

Conclusion

Selecting the right high-security vehicle barriers for the protection of your secure facility requires striking a balance between threat assessment, operational needs, budget, and environmental context. Road blockers are ideal for high threat environments as they provide the highest level of security. Urban public spaces and commercial areas where clear separation of vehicular and pedestrian movement is desired, in addition to aesthetic appeal, would benefit from bollards. Tire killers are the best solution where vehicle disablement and cost considerations are the priority such as parking or industrial settings. All three offer excellent value for money and the level of security desired. They can also be paired with one another to provide a more comprehensive and effective security system.

About SAB TECH

SAB TECH is a market-leading manufacturer of high-tech, hydraulic-powered perimeter protection systems. Their range of road blockers, bollards, and tire killers are suitable for any secure facility or location, providing enhanced access control and reliable, long-lasting security.

Consult with a SAB TECH security expert today for a thorough risk assessment of your facility and advice on selecting the most effective security infrastructure.